Quill questions.

[HedgyHoggyMommy]

Hi, my boy is still doing the roll up into a ball and poke you thing. Do their quills release some kind of toxin or is it that they are designed to close up the skin when they are pulled out? Every time he gets me I get an infected bump. The two on my thumb have been this way for over 24 hours now even with the neosporin on them. Any ideas how to make the ouch stop? Thanks, Kirsten. :eek:

[Love4Hedgies]

This seems to be a somewhat common problem when people are not used to the quills. After time it should subside. :)

[teela1342]

Hi, my boy is still doing the roll up into a ball and poke you thing. Do their quills release some kind of toxin or is it that they are designed to close up the skin when they are pulled out? Every time he gets me I get an infected bump. The two on my thumb have been this way for over 24 hours now even with the neosporin on them. Any ideas how to make the ouch stop? Thanks, Kirsten. :eek:

Hedgehog quills don't have toxins. They are really just modified hairs and only function to deter bigger animals from eating them. Just think of it like this - every time you get poked and it breaks the skin, it is like being stuck with a little unsterilized needle. Not to deter you at all from handling him, but really, these guys aren't exactly obsessed with cleanliness. :rolleyes: Other than hosing your baby down with Lysol (just kidding!), the best precaution you can take against infection is thorough handwashing before and after cuddle sessions.

Sorry you are are having this problem. Hopefully, he will get used to you soon and it won't be much of an issue anymore.

[HedgyHoggyMommy]

Okay so I guess there is nothing I can do with the actual bumps but ignore them until they decide to go away? My poor hedge is still so young that his first response to everything including momma is rolling and puffing. Kirsten.

[Nancy]

What kind of bedding do you use? I find when I handle my babies (3 1/2 weeks old) my hand are itchy. They are on kiln dried pine shavings and I swear that is it as I can handle 19 others that are on liners without a problem. :)

I also found that my adoptees that I got as adults bothered me for awhile until I got used to them. :)

[Janine]

My arms broke out in itchy red bumps for about a day and a half after I brought mine home. It was really bad at first - I actually thought about taking her back. But it went away and I have no trouble at all now.

[paris26]

Maybe try holding him in his hedgebag or wrapped in a blanket until he relaxes enough to come out. That way he gets used to your scent, and can build his confidence up too

[Ododad]

Hi, my boy is still doing the roll up into a ball and poke you thing. Do their quills release some kind of toxin or is it that they are designed to close up the skin when they are pulled out? Every time he gets me I get an infected bump. The two on my thumb have been this way for over 24 hours now even with the neosporin on them. Any ideas how to make the ouch stop? Thanks, Kirsten. :eek:
I am really glad someone asked this. I have been wondering the very same thing. When I first got Odo, and she quilled me, it would tingle and burn a little bit. Now, it dosen't do that. I had wondered if they had some sort of toxin in their quills too.
Nancy, you said something about shavings. Odo was on shavings from the very beginning. Marco started out on newspaper and when Marco quilled me, it never tingled or itched like it did when Odo did it. I had not thought about it might be the shavings. You continue to amaze me with you common sense.

[DeniMarie]

I had the same experience as Ododad. My hands tingle for about 4 minutes. I usually wash my hands after we play/cuddle. Homer doesn't ball too much, I usually get a couple fingers under his belly then either hold him barehaded or plunk him onto the front of my shirt. He also has a blankie that I use when handling him, it's like a security blanket for him.

Homer has liners.

[HedgyHoggyMommy]

He's on carefresh but that will change today because his new cage arrived. Orion likes blankets and stuff like that much better than bedding and so that's what he will have.
As for the bumps I must be allergic to something or have sensitive skin because I get welts that fill with puss and last for days even when I (yuck) empty them. To bad I'll just have to get used to the pain because he's my little angel and he's not going anywhere but into a hedgy bag on my lap for more worms.